P5 

1721 




$h U f irjitti^^ 



BY 



GILBERT R. FRITH. 



KICHMOND, VA.: 
WEST, JOHNSTON & CO. 

1885. 



5 17^' 









COPYEIGHT, 1885, 
BY 

GILBEET E. FEITH. 



Pkinted by 

Whittet & Sheppekson, 

Richmond, Va. 



ODE TO VIRGINIA: 

Written at Staunton, Va., in January, 1880, 

AND NOW dedicated, WITH REVERENT AFFECTION, 
TO THE MEMORY OF 

THE LATE REV. BARNAS SEARS, D. D., 

&eneral ^gent of the Jfeabotlu Education Fund, 

AT WHOSE INSTANCE IT WAS WRITTEN. 

Beneath his HOSPiTABiiE roof many charming and profitable 

HOURS have been PASSED. HiS SIMPLE AND UNAFFECTED 

KINDLINESS, COUPLED WITH DIGNITY AND LEARNING, 

WON THE LOVE AND PROFOUND RESPECT OF A 

LITERARY-SOCIAL CIRCLE, ACCUSTOMED 

TO ASSEMBLE AT HIS HOME, 

OF WHICH THE AUTHOR WILL EVER DEEM IT A PRIVILEGE TO 

HAVE BEEN ONE. 

G. E. F. 

Richmond, Ya , February 17, 1885. 



VIRGINIA. 



YIKGINIA ! erst with haughty plumed crest, 
Why hangs a drooping head now on thy breast? 
Well art thou known in a nation's story, 
Foremost in stirring deeds, and first in glory ! 

Columbia's self sprang puissant at one breath — 
"I live in liberty — else give me death ! " 
Immortal Henry ! yet throughout the land 
Kings out thy utterance, watchword, and command. 
He was Virginian ! Aye, and Virginians led 
In camp, as council, or for country bled. 
Where, when the patriot's voice o'erwhelmed alarms, 
And sent a people jubilant to arms. 
Was leader found, who, 'midst most dire distress, 
Could guide that people through its wilderness? 
Immortal see, as statesman, warrior, one 
Pure patriot, wise and great, — world-known Virginian, 
" Washington ! " 



VIRGINIA. 



Before a nation's loving, reverent eyes, 
These names, like mightiest pillars, seem to rise, 
Eternal fixed and piercing to the skies. 
And round them, too, a group, majestic, grand. 
More real than Egypt's pyramids, for ever stand. 
Why live these names, beloved, pure, and great f — 
Because^ hefore themselves, they served the State. 

Long might Yirginia boast perennial seed 
Of statesmen, patriots, springing up at need. 
Who, ever on their country's weal intent. 
With noblest motive, their best efforts spent. 

But comes a time — oh ! dark, appalling woes. 
Attendant ever on a nation's throes ! 
Of what avail to trace assumptive cause. 
Or 2:ucss at reasons for intestine wars? 
From hidden sources deep disorders spring. 
And racking agony to man or mankind bring. 

Dread Civil War! — when, each side claiming right. 
From stern convictions yet more fiercely fight. 
A feud, from former friendship swift outgrown, 

5 



viRomiA. 



Hates with an abstract rancor all its own ; 

And thus again, in deadly conflict here, 

Is seen the unyielding Puritan and fiery Cavalier* 

Well knows this country, well the whole world knows, 
Where stood Virginia, and which side she chose. 
With 7nost from war to lose, and least to gain. 
She dared her honor, plighted word, maintain. 
Her Southern sisters spurned the Northern sway; 
She too was Southern, and she joined the fray. 

Long years have passed since first the mutt'ring storm. 
With sulph'rous fury, took horrific form, 
Then burst, and as the dread hurricane 
Scatters dead leaves, so scattered living men. 

What rage can equal furious human strife, — 
Such dire destruction bring to human life ? 
We read, and read appalled, on history's page 
Of nature's fury, shown in many an age: 
Now red volcano pours a molten torrent down. 
Engulfs a city, or licks up a town ; 
Then howling tempests devastating sweep 

6 



VlRGtNIA* 



With circling horrors over land and deep; 
Or " cold eartli yawns," and to its hideous maw 
Sucks in a shrieking populace. But War ! 
The tempest's fury, volcano, earthquake, rolled 
In one vast climax — ^yet its tale 's not told. 

And see this frightful something — War — this three fold 
force — 
For four long years pursue its ruthless course. 
Its surging, seething, whelming billows rolled. 
Where best resisted yet the least controlled ; 
Each furious onslaught crushed intensifies its ire, 
And fresh concentrates tempest, earthquake, fire. 

Astounding ordeal ! How can human mould 
Sustain such horrors, such agonies untold ? 
More firm than ''oak and triple brass," those hearts 
Which gave their life blood, or sustained their parts; 
The withered Southern hosts still hold their ground, 
Nor ever in those ranks is traitor found. 
And still, where conflict raged and death-fires ran. 
Are seen Virginians, pressing in the van. 

At last an end. 
The shattered, suffering remnants of a host 

7 



VIRGINIA. 



Yield not to destiny till all is lost; 

Nor yielded then, save at the grave command 

Of one who yearned to save his hero band; 

And brave men wept like children, thns to yield, 

Who smiled with scorn on death's red harvest-iield. 

Oh ! noble spirits, valorous, true, and great, 

Because, before themselves, they served the State. 

Then, oh ! the mourning o'er the country spread ! 
Victorious North bewails its brave who bled ; 
The vanquished South mourns for its cause— its dead. 
Virginia, e'en in suffering, foremost stands ; 
She mourns her dead, her cause, her devastated lands. 

The world looked on,— still reads the thrilling story, 
And ever will accord — war's only meed — 
To North, to South, and to Virginia,— Glory ! 

Virginia mourned ! Ah, she had deeply quaffed 
Tlie cup of sorrow, — drained the bitter draught. 
Upon her casque now sable plume is seen, 
Where, bravely nodding, brightest plumes had been ; 
Sad drooping weeds conceal her quivering breast, 



vmGiNiA. 



Erst while by shining corslet tightly pressed. 
Her ungirt armor lies unhinged and spent, 
Her tough lance shivered, her true sword indent; 
Yet still upon her shield, war-hacked and gory, 
''Sic Seraper^^ gleams its proud, defiant story. 

Beauteous Virginia ! Niobe she stands 
As weeping woman ; yet her mien commands. 
No trembling suppliant at a conqueror's feet ; 
No captive, quaking at some upstart's threat. 
Wan, yet unblenching, she demands the right 
Due to the vanquished in a fair-fought fight; 
Trusts but that knightly feeling may inspire 
A generous foe, nor deprecates his ire. 
Silent in woe she stands; calm in her dignity, — 
Accepts the issue as just Heaven's decree. 

Ah, who can solace ? How can she respite gain ? 
"Where find a balm to mitigate her pain ? 
'Tis said the Spartan mother, anguished, yet smiled with 

joy, 

When home they brought her slaughtered, darling boy. 
Prone on his shield, still smiling as his wont, 

9 



VIRGINIA. 



His body mangled, bot his wounds in front. 
Herself had bade liim forth to battle for his State ; 
For her lie 'd fought, and died — what nobler fate ? 

Thus, too, Virginia, wide looking o'er her land. 
From sounding sea shore, up slopes, to mountains grand. 
Saw countless homesteads, sorrowing and bereaved, 
Where mother, sister, wife, betrothed one, grieved. 
Deep mourned their lost ones ; yet with generous pride 
That for their State and cause these brave ones died. 
Up-looking, wan, yet smiling, seemed each one 
Dead for his State and honor, like the Spartan son. 
Thus dying patriots still immortal live. 
And noblest solace leave to those who live and grieve. 

And many a strong man, too, who scorned to shed 
A sorrowing tear, honored and mourned the dead, — 
His fallen comrades ; perchance himself had bled, 
Yet lives, — ^^aye, many from death's door led. 
And there were aged men, the sick, and boys, 
Who felt the bitter pangs, and eke the joys. 
Inspired by martial prowess — a pride that never cloys. 
Truly, for ages it will stir the blood 
Of all who love the valiant, true, and good, 

lO 



VIRGINIA. 



To read or hear those deeds of honest hardihood. 
Would true Virginians, knowing well the pain, for all the 

gain t 

Of worlds, blot out Yirginia's record, 
Or obscure her fame ? 

For nian}^ a year to come 'twill be the boast, 
And not vain-glorious, — "True, our cause was lost; 
But — well — I fought with such a host ! " 
Full many a grandsire — the listening boy at his knee 
Still to be born — will speak with reverence the loved 

name of Lee, — 
Perchance will call him "Marse Robert," which "his 

people," as in play. 
When the death-rain came the fastest, still, smiling, loved 

to say. 

World-honored Lee ! — " Without reproach or fear ! " — 
Does grander, nobler, holier name appear 
In history? 

Homage and love alike foi' ever be thy share ! 
When his "own people" called him, careless of praise or 
blame, 

II 



VIRGINIA. 



He waved off alien honors, which else had brought him 

shame, 
And sternly stood for State, her honor and her fame; 
Sad in his heart, deep grieving at the day 
Which saw a nation severed, all that in him lay 
To soothe the storm he did, and then "obey," 
The soldier's watchword, led him on the way. 
From this he ne'er looked back, but calmest 'mid the fight, 
He led his outnumbered hosts, victorious in their might, 
Till when, at last, he saw war's dreadful game 
Lay on one cast, he struck, — then sought the blame 
Of failure, to shield a comrade's fame. 

Oh ! Bayard Lee, — majestic, gentle, great. 
Grand in defeat,— thou glorifiest a State. 

That other mighty captain, ("My right arm," 
The great commander called him, with affection warm,) 
A man, once deemed retiring, almost odd. 
Sprang up inspired through love of State and God. 
A right arm, truly ! holding, like fabled Jove, 
The thunderbolts of war, to silence or to move. 
Did ever leader strike more swift, resistless shock. 



VIRGINIA. 



So firmly fix liis ranks — a living rock ? 

"Stonewall" most called him, while his own men, with 

glee, 
Would boast the march of "Jack's Foot Cavalry," 
Which never struck, but followed victory : 
Long will Virginia glorify that arm 

Which raised to shield her threatened breast from harm, 
Was struck and shattered, as approached a calm. 

Great Jackson! Death-stricken, lying on his bed. 
From wounds delirious, fancied still he led. 
''Charge! Charge for victory!'' aloud he said; 
Then, turning, murmured out a life, foreseeing heavenly 

ease. 
" We'll cross the river, and rest beneath the trees." 

Virginians ! ever look with loving eyes 
Upon these names, which ever seem to rise. 
Like mightiest pillars, piercing to the skies, — 
Models of strength and purity, and grandly great, 
Because, before themselves, they served the State. 

Long years have passed. A nation once again 
Is joined in fellowship, rememb'ring still its pain : 

13 



ViRGlMA. 



This fresh continues, and it long will last, 
Till suffering merges in the shadowy past. 
Peace has her victories ; yet a nation's pride 
Reverts to warlike deeds ; nor questions it the side 
Which showed most prowess, when kin — once foes — are 
happ'ly re-allied. 
Thus may be viewed, in new and glorying light, 
The fiery onslaught at " Manassas " fight ; 
At " Chancellorsville " the stern resistance shown, 
E'en Northern born may then exultant own; 
At " Shenandoah," and at " Seven Pines," 
Alike with desperate deeds at "Eichmond's" lines; 
The serried charge up "Gettysburg's" dread grades 
Shall thrill in story like the " Light Brigade's ;" 
Whilst deeds of J^orthern gallantry with gen'rous praise 



shall ring. 



When from the Southern heart has passed the sting: 

All will be moulded in a nation's story, 

And bring to North, to South, and to Virginia, — Glory ! 



Virginians ! turn again the illustrious page. 
Writ with firm lines throughout a country's age; 

14 



VIRGINIA* 



Mark the exalted part Yirginia took, 
When in its birth pangs this young nation shook; 
Mark, for a histruin, how she led the cause. 
To shape a government, its policy, its laws; 
Mark, too, unchallenged , how, from sense of riglit, 
She joined, self martyred, the last momentous fight; 
Mark it with pride ! With pride feel that on you 
Remains the trust to keep that page unstained — that 
record true. 

Already hov'ring shadows seem to stain 
Her page. Its lustre at all odds retain; 
Chase off the shadows ere the spots remain. 
Let nowhere churlish nature point with scorn 
At proud Yirginia; let not the generous mourn. 

What weaker sisters do will ne'er excuse 
Her lapse from virtue, — such leadership refuse ; 
See that Yirginia takes her old imposing stand, 
And upward leads — courageous, pure, and grand. 

See that the men who lead in State affairs 
Act well their parts — perform their righteous cares. 
Yirginia's future still depends on you 

15 



VIRGINIA. 



To keep lier honor pure, — her record true. 
If through a man, or men,— their sordidness or fears,— 
Virginia, once so pure and brave and bright, appears 
Like fishwife huckst'ring unsav'rj wares. 
Long will that day be one of sorrow and of tears. 
And shame, undreamed of in all bygone years. 
To dream such sliame it w^ere a treason now. 
But that Virginia, proud, ah-eady seems to bow. 
Surprised by cunning woven and bewild'ring toils, 
The unlooked-for plight her strength and spirit foils. 
The while is deafening dinned—" To vicroKs give the 

SPOILS ! " 

Virginians! scout this shibboleth of shame; 
Drive tlie foul spirit cowering whence it came ; 
For once 'tis harbored it befouls your fame. 
Yes, scout it ! Flout off the glamour from a breath 
Einging with spurious valor, whilst replete with death. 
Like foul miasma, coming with the wind. 
Its subtle poison saps the public mind. 
Teach the whole nation to drive off this curse; 
Let "skulls and crossbones" take the thin^ to nurse. 



VIRGINIA. 



'Twere a fit rallying cry for a pirate band; 
Its spirit 's monstrous in an enlightened land. 

Did truest soldier ever fight for spoils f 
Is war but rapine — a fierce trade that soils? 
From such a charge all chivalry recoils ! 
Why, then, in peace exalt a bandit cry, 
Whicli, claiming honor, vaunteth but a /?<?, 
And frights off truth, and worth, and honesty ? 
Think you such doctrine e'er inspired tliose great, 
Whose one grand motive was to serve the State ? 

Not so! This fosters grovelling greed of pelf,— 
Teaches, thro' suffering State, to serve oneh self. 
A minor care it deems the public health, 
And road to selfish power becomes the Commonwealth. 
A State-destroying system such must prove; 
Reject it, all who faith and honor love. 
If in the fallow mind of people lately freed. 
With reckless hand is sowed this noxious seed. 
If is inculcate damned creeds like these. 
Harvest the whirlwind where was sowed the breeze! 

But Virtue lives ! The towering oak may show 

The scathe of fire, — then fierce blasts chill its flow 

17 



VIRGINIA. 



Of gen'rous sap; but, rallying at its heart, 
'Twill spring and bourgeon yet to grander part. 

A noble State, tlio' seeming near the brink, 
Re-fined must rise, — aye. Heaven forbids her sink ! 
Her worthy sons shall build her altar fires. 
And urge the work bequeathed them by their sires. 

Thus, witli heart fixed towards a higher plane. 
The darkest day shall pass. And once again 
See fair Virginia, peace-panoplied and grand. 
The honored member of a sister band. 

Virginians ! watch the man first recreant to trust, 
"/^S^c' Senipc)'^' cry, and hurl him to the dust ; 
Revive again the old time^ionored story, 
Columbia glorious ! Virginia first in Glory ! 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

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018 597 279 3 •" 



